Backup for BMB....Ching?

[RussD2]

Given McBride's age and propensity for injury, who would be his stand in as a target forward? I think Ching will be named to the roster. His size and synergy with Landon at either withdrawn forward or in tandem is an advantage that I think BA likes. Also, unfortunately, none of the other forwards have shown much. I think Johnson will be named as a forward for the future (although he has not shown much since his injury). That leaves a tough choice between Twellman and Wolfe. Although, Twellman does not create much on his own, I like him a little better to take a chance with quality service than Wolfe.....when is the roster announced?:)

[Bruce S]

Given McBride's age and propensity for injury, who would be his stand in as a target forward? I think Ching will be named to the roster. His size and synergy with Landon at either withdrawn forward or in tandem is an advantage that I think BA likes. Also, unfortunately, none of the other forwards have shown much. I think Johnson will be named as a forward for the future (although he has not shown much since his injury). That leaves a tough choice between Twellman and Wolfe. Although, Twellman does not create much on his own, I like him a little better to take a chance with quality service than Wolfe.....when is the roster announced?:)
I would guess that Ching will make the team

[Autogolazo]

Don't underestimate Landon's persuasive attempts here, either.

He and Ching are pals, they room together with the national team (there was that article pre-Jamaica match in Cary on the subject), eat dinner together, and I'm sure it wouldn't take long to get back on the same page, if necessary.

[Bruce S]

Don't underestimate Landon's persuasive attempts here, either.

He and Ching are pals, they room together with the national team (there was that article pre-Jamaica match in Cary on the subject), eat dinner together, and I'm sure it wouldn't take long to get back on the same page, if necessary.
I would bet a lot that Arena does not welcome or allow lobbying of players on behalf of other players.That would be pretty unprofessional, and really bad for team morale. These guys all have to work together and player lobbying is a good way to blow a team up.

[jbeall]

Arena probably doesn't like lobbying, but he's also a perceptive guy--if Bigsoccer posters can see that Donovan works well with Ching, I'm sure Bruce can see it as well. Given our needs, I wouldn't be surprised if Ching goes to Germany.

1) BMB is not necessarily there just to score goals--he wins balls in the air and holds it up for our attack. He takes a lot of physical abuse in order that our forwards and mids can get up and join the attack.

Ching clearly isn't as good as BMB in this regard, but he's got the body to win balls while getting beat up. I don't see TT doing this, even in an assigned role; he's simply too short. TT does well for his height, but that's in MLS.

In short, I see Ching providing a skill set that Bruce prefers. He's probably less likely to score than TT (or maybe not...), but can he do a better job of providing what Bruce wants out of a target forward? Probably.


2) TT plays well with Noonan, Ralston, and Dempsey, but how many of them are going to Germany? My guess is just Dempsey. Without Noonan and Ralston, I think TT's chances go down. Meanwhile, we've all noticed that Ching has a great repoire with Donovan, who most undoubtedly WILL be going to Germany. You do the math.

I enjoy watching Twellman tear up MLS, but his goal-poaching ability is easily nulllified by better competition, and he doesn't offset this by doing the things that BMB (and Ching) can do.

3) Twellman is slow. His speed works in MLS, but he's slower-than-average in the int'l game. Wolff may not put away too many chances lately (and I'm a fan, but Josh drives me crazy with his inability to finish), but even against top-level int'l competition, you can see that his speed is a threat (see: England).

What are the odds that TT gets behind that Italian defense? Not with his pace. Similarly, I dont' like TT's chances against Ghana or the Czechs, but I think Wolff's crafty play and speed may be useful there.


Ultimately, who knows, as we don't see them in training, but I think Wolff and Ching bring assets that Bruce values more highly than Twellman's pure poaching ability.

[Bruce S]

Arena probably doesn't like lobbying, but he's also a perceptive guy--if Bigsoccer posters can see that Donovan works well with Ching, I'm sure Bruce can see it as well. Given our needs, I wouldn't be surprised if Ching goes to Germany.

1) BMB is not necessarily there just to score goals--he wins balls in the air and holds it up for our attack. He takes a lot of physical abuse in order that our forwards and mids can get up and join the attack.

Ching clearly isn't as good as BMB in this regard, but he's got the body to win balls while getting beat up. I don't see TT doing this, even in an assigned role; he's simply too short. TT does well for his height, but that's in MLS.

In short, I see Ching providing a skill set that Bruce prefers. He's probably less likely to score than TT (or maybe not...), but can he do a better job of providing what Bruce wants out of a target forward? Probably.


2) TT plays well with Noonan, Ralston, and Dempsey, but how many of them are going to Germany? My guess is just Dempsey. Without Noonan and Ralston, I think TT's chances go down. Meanwhile, we've all noticed that Ching has a great repoire with Donovan, who most undoubtedly WILL be going to Germany. You do the math.

I enjoy watching Twellman tear up MLS, but his goal-poaching ability is easily nulllified by better competition, and he doesn't offset this by doing the things that BMB (and Ching) can do.

3) Twellman is slow. His speed works in MLS, but he's slower-than-average in the int'l game. Wolff may not put away too many chances lately (and I'm a fan, but Josh drives me crazy with his inability to finish), but even against top-level int'l competition, you can see that his speed is a threat (see: England).

What are the odds that TT gets behind that Italian defense? Not with his pace. Similarly, I dont' like TT's chances against Ghana or the Czechs, but I think Wolff's crafty play and speed may be useful there.


Ultimately, who knows, as we don't see them in training, but I think Wolff and Ching bring assets that Bruce values more highly than Twellman's pure poaching ability.
even as a Revs fan, I tend to agree.

[XYZ123456]

Arena probably doesn't like lobbying, but he's also a perceptive guy--if Bigsoccer posters can see that Donovan works well with Ching, I'm sure Bruce can see it as well. Given our needs, I wouldn't be surprised if Ching goes to Germany.Donovan was lobbying for Twellman just last Jan/Feb.

I don't think there much of a chance that both Twellman and Ching make the team. That's 2 players fighting for 1 spot to me. I guess I'd go with Ching, but it's a toss up. Hopefully the 4th forward wont be needed on the field.

[afgrijselijkheid]

ching? brian ching? the houston player? him?

egads

[Bruce S]

Donovan was lobbying for Twellman just last Jan/Feb.

I don't think there much of a chance that both Twellman and Ching make the team. That's 2 players fighting for 1 spot to me.
it depends what you mean by lobbying.He can say to the press that he thinks someone is good.But speaking to Arena about it is what I call lobbying.

[XYZ123456]

it depends what you mean by lobbying.He can say to the press that he thinks someone is good.But speaking to Arena about it is what I call lobbying.Donovan said to the press that Twellman deserves to be on the World Cup team, that he earned it, back in Jan/Feb. That's more than saying a player is good, that's lobbying to me, even if it's not directly to Bruce.

[Bruce S]

Donovan said to the press that Twellman deserves to be on the World Cup team, that he earned it, back in Jan/Feb. That's more than saying a player is good, that's lobbying to me, even if it's not directly to Bruce.
well, I would not call that lobbying then.Certainly people can express opinions. Bt whispering to Bruce is what I meant.

[Mr. Bandwagon]

Donovan said to the press that Twellman deserves to be on the World Cup team, that he earned it, back in Jan/Feb. That's more than saying a player is good, that's lobbying to me, even if it's not directly to Bruce.
Yeah, but as I recall, he's also said that he likes playing with Ching, playing behind Eddie Johnson, playing with McBride, playing with Herc @ LA. He's probably also said he likes playing with Josh and anyone else in consideration (Rolfe, etc.)

I mean, I doubt he's going to publicly say that so-and-so sucks to play with. ;)

[IndividualEleven]

ASAIK, Arena never said he's taking two target forwards.

Best to take only McBride if the options are Ching/Twellman.

[FlapJack]

I guess at this point Ching is BMB backup, but he is a long way back. I am in the camp that thinks you want a backup for BMB because you just have to accept the fact he's not going to make three full games, and the way he plays all out there is some chance he could injur himself so he can't go. That being said, Ching has played himself off the squad in my opinion with his NT play. I love his production in the MLS, and I'd rate him as serviceable as an international target forward, he uses his strength to hold his position well. He can go for a full 90 as has decent speed for the type of player he is. But he's not nearly as accurate in heading the ball on goal or with his passing and shooting as BMB is. The reason - he doesn't have the balance. Even with all that I would have taken him as a backup. But the last straw for me with his poor balance- a guy his size he should not prove to be so useless on set piece defense (and yes I realize he's a forward). For me I don't take a true BMB backup. Bruce is probably forced to take Twellman as cover for BMB. Either by bad timing of injuries or bad planning on Arena's part he's blown his chance at grooming a quality backup target forward. He was hoping Johnson or Ching would do after Casey was injured and he gave up on Jaqua too. With the right coaching and no injury I really think Jaqua could have developed into a great situational sub and BMB injury backup guy. Superior foot skill, but just way too inexperienced for this go around.

[IndividualEleven]

The possible backups who haven't gotten a shot are Kenny Cooper and
Edson Buddle. Too bad Arena didn't bring Cooper into the Scotland
camp. Too bad he never gave Buddle a shot.

No to Twellman.

No to Ching.

If McBride is out then go with EJ up top.

[Bruce S]

The possible backups who haven't gotten a shot are Kenny Cooper and
Edson Buddle. Too bad Arena did bring Cooper into the Scotland
camp. Too bad he never gave Buddle a shot.

No to Twellman.

No to Ching.

If McBride is out then go with EJ up top.
in fairness to Arena, every time the was a camp when Buddle was in form, he got hurt, and then wound up in detox. Can't exactly blame Bruce for that.

[Galaxian]

I was one of the harshest critics of Ching , for me he played way too weak with his back to goal , got shoved off the ball way too easily in the Scotland game last year and in the Germany game this year , and I would have had TT over him in a second .
But now with the start of the MLS season and the recent friendly against Jamaica , Brian Ching is in great form and TT isnt . Brian and Eddie looked a lot more dangerous on the attack during the second half of the jamaica game that TT and JW did . But then again , the team looked a lot better that half .

Right now I think BC and TT are fighting for the last forward spot , and if BA looks at the start of their respective MLS campaigns , Ching gets the nod . Now lets just hope he doesnt get any playing time come June :)

[IndividualEleven]

in fairness to Arena, every time the was a camp when Buddle was in form, he got hurt, and then wound up in detox. Can't exactly blame Bruce for that.

There was that four goal game with Arena in the stands
that somehow didn't merit a camp invite for the Nats
Columbus game.

[BED-STYPUNDIT]

There was that four goal game with Arena in the stands
that somehow didn't merit a camp invite for the Nats
Columbus game.

TRUE, but where was the consistent performances week in and week out with Edson. I am big fan of him but he just hasn't proven to be consistent whether injuried or not over his MLS career.

[BED-STYPUNDIT]

I was one of the harshest critics of Ching , for me he played way too weak with his back to goal , got shoved off the ball way too easily in the Scotland game last year and in the Germany game this year , and I would have had TT over him in a second .
But now with the start of the MLS season and the recent friendly against Jamaica , Brian Ching is in great form and TT isnt . Brian and Eddie looked a lot more dangerous on the attack during the second half of the jamaica game that TT and JW did . But then again , the team looked a lot better that half .

Right now I think BC and TT are fighting for the last forward spot , and if BA looks at the start of their respective MLS campaigns , Ching gets the nod . Now lets just hope he doesnt get any playing time come June :)

I think to take two MLS games and place them over the merit of a few year of international quality is not something Arena does. If that's the case, then Buddle after he scored four aganist the Metrostars should have gotten call after call after call based on that form, but that didn't happen. Arena gauged more on the Jamaica game for Ching then he did the four goal performance for Houston. "None of our domestic forwards have been consistent enough", he said in the post conference.

That doesn't equal great form for any of our domestic forwards, whether it be Ching, Twellman, Johnson or Wolff.

Twellman does more things than Ching and Twellman has proven that he combines well with Donovan and Wolff, not only just Revs players.